‘Spring into Spring’

Home- Start CHAMS Volunteer, Rachel Murphy, has set herself a personal running challenge this Spring, in order to help raise much needed funds for our work.

Rachel’s ‘Spring into Spring’ challenge will see her take on a run each month, from February up until May.

Rachel also wants to raise awareness of the benefit of exercise as a means of combating depression and anxiety. Rachel has searched for a way to handle bouts of depression and anxiety for many years. Managing these periods gained extra significance when she became a mum, making sure she continued to meet the needs of her children despite periods of feeling low and anxious. “Once I had children, I had to make sure I worked extra hard, it wasn’t just me anymore and, at the same time, becoming a mother added to the pressure of keeping on top of my depression and anxiety, especially in the early days when it is easy to become isolated, to feel anxiety forming new friendships and all the other new things to overthink”, explained Rachel.

Rachel rekindled a teenage love of running and now feels at a point where running has helped beat the blues once and for all.

It was this experience of becoming a mum while coping with her own issues that Rachel now puts to good use, supporting struggling families as one of our Home Visiting volunteers.

“I have loved getting to know the families I have worked with so far and the progress they have made has been so rewarding to be part of”, continued Rachel. “I was lucky enough to have the love and support of my friends and family when I have struggled, but not everyone has that support.”

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